Lewis Talley

talleyOwen: Lewis Talley wore this stage costume designed by Turk during performances at clubs such as The Lucky Spot in Bakersfield and The Porthole in Ridgecrest in the 1960s.

Lewis Talley was an instrumental figure in the development of the Bakersfield Sound. He sang and played guitar in local clubs with his band the Tally Whackers. He played guitar on some of Tommy Collins’ songs released on Capitol Records in the 1950s. Talley appeared on Cousin Herb Henson’s Trading Post Show as a member of the Trading Post Gang. He purchased the rights to the song A Dear John Letter with his cousin, Fuzzy Owen, a duet recorded by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard. He owned a recording studio (Lu-Tal Studio) record label (Tally Records) and publishing company (Owen Publishing) with Fuzzy Owen. Bonnie Owens released the single Why Don’t Daddy Live Here Anymore co-written by Fuzzy Owen and Dallas Frazier on Tally Records. lewistallyJacket: Lewis Talley played a major role in Merle Haggard’s rise to fame. Haggard played guitar in Talley’s band. He later produced such albums as Big City and Where The Lonely Go for Merle Haggard on Epic Records in the early 1980s. He played guitar on songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson and The Farmer Boys.

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